Watch final video here:

It’s the end of Year 01! I clocked out with the video essay: a discussion on value – that explored itself from dictated, rigid hierarchies of cards to creative bootlegging (a subversion of hierarchy).

I think the video definitely wasn’t in line with the theme of where I left off visually speaking (I was watching a lot of calming videos during the final weeks of Summer term, and that definitely reflected through, inadvertently), but it did get the point across.

I suppose where I remain at the end of this year is, among many projects, some more loved than others, on a few questions:

1. Methods: What is my preferred format of working? I’ve definitely strayed away from illustration this year, almost forcibly. I’ve grown up, and subsequently worked, as an illustrator, so it felt very unnatural – but one of the reasons I am here at this course is to widen my perspective on what it means to be a designer, and then deepen it with a line of enquiry that is uniquely shaped by my interests. Next year, the generalist designer shall prevail as well!

2. Is Bootlegging as a Creative Practice what I am interested in? A lot of what I learnt came directly from the work and discussions with my colleagues and classmates – and the most inspiring work has been that which was very honest and sincere. Bootlegging as a Creative Practice became/is close to my heart as so much of its content derives directly from my own experiences – and so it is anchored. To develop on this topic would be very interesting and expansive because the starting point is set.

The archive ‘same-same but different’ was successful, but it is also a great ‘tip of the iceberg’. There is a certain democratisation embedded in the topic of bootlegging, something sharp and positive, and I am excited to explore it further as I go.

All in all, this has been a brilliant year! Lots of learning and lots of unlearning, and onward and upwards to MAGCD Y2!